BJP MP Ram Shankar Katheria, whose guards thrashed Agra toll plaza staff, booked

A case has been registered against BJP MP and chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) Ram Shankar Katheria, whose security personnel allegedly thrashed toll plaza employees at the Rehan Kala toll gate in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday. The incident occured at around 3:45 am in Etmadpur police jurisdiction near Agra inner ring road, which connects Agra-Lucknow expressway to Yamuna Expressway.

Speaking to the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Agra, Bablu Lumar said, "A case has been registered in the case and strict action will be taken against the people involved in the incident".

In a video widely circulated on social media platforms, one of Katheria's security personnel is seen pushing away an toll plaza employee while the other is captured firing shot in the air following an arguement between the sides. Notably, Katheria was present at the spot when the clash took place.

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SSP Agra, Bablu Kumar: A case has been registered in the case, action is being taken. Strict action will be taken against the people involved in the incident. https://t.co/mLct7wKXSb

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) July 6, 2019

However, Katheria, when prodded on the incident, claimed that it were the toll plaza employees who first attacked on his security personnel and that his guards fired only in self defence.

"My security did not attack toll plaza employees, they first attacked my people. Toll employees did not know other cars were part of my convoy, they thought some other car is slipping through behind mine. My security guard only fired in self defence, says BJP MP RS Katheria," the BJP leader was quoted as saying by media.

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Katheria, who was a Minister of State (MoS) in the Human Resource Development Ministry in Modi 1.0 Cabinet, has as many as 20 pending cases against him. He is also charged with forging two of his degree mark-sheets (for BA and MA) allegedly to secure a job at the Agra University. The case is being heard in a court.